Detroit Lions: Post-free agency mock draft (rounds 1-3)

Although the Detroit Lions didn’t seem to draw much attention in the beginning stages of free agency, they made a giant splash by signing former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Golden Tate. Detroit is also the leading candidate to sign former Baltimore Ravens safety James Ihedigbo.

As the free-agency period begins to clam down, the Lions appear to be heading into the 2014 NFL Draft with two of their three major needs addressed: wide receiver and safety.

Assuming the Lions are able to sign Ihedigbo, let’s take a look at three different tangents that Detroit could take in rounds 1-3 of the NFL Draft.

(Disclaimer: Sammy Watkins is not available in the first round)

Tangent #1

The first tangent is the tangent that I believe to be the best course of action for the Lions.

Round 1: Darqueze Dennard, CB – Michigan State

Dennard’s style of play is what I believe makes him the Lions’ best option to address the need at cornerback. He has proven in MSU’s Pro Day that he is explosive enough to start at the next level.

Round 2: Scott Crichton, DE – Oregon State

With the departure of Willie Young, the Lions now have a void at defensive end. I think it would be wise for Detroit to try to find a permanent solution in the draft, rather than fill that hole via committee. Where Crichton might lack the athleticism of Jadeveon Clowney, he sure makes up for it with his size. He recorded 16.5 sacks in his last two collegiate-seasons and is best fit for a traditional 4-3 defense.

Round 3: Weston Richburg, C – Colorado State

Detroit will need to replace Dominic Raiola following the 2014 season and the third round of this year’s draft appears to be a safe place to do just that. If Richburg is already off the board, Travis Swanson of Arkansas is a safe bet for the Lions in the third round.

Tangent #2

The second tangent could be best described as the fall-back plan of the first tangent.

Round 1: Anthony Barr, OLB- UCLA

Barr shows exceptional athleticism for his size and will soon be a terror on an every-day basis in the NFL. Detroit is without a pure pass-rushing linebacker and Barr would make an excellent addition to the Lions’ front seven.

Round 2: Kyle Fuller, CB – Virginia Tech

Fuller is the best among the second tier of corners in this year’s draft. Although they may not be classified as elite, his size and speed make him an all-around package that could develop into a solid number-two corner. The Lions need help at the cornerback position and if they don’t get it in the first round, Fuller would make a great addition here.

Round 3: Terrence Brooks, Safety – Florida State

I did approach this mock under the assumption that the Lions will sign Ihedigbo, however, I’m not necessarily assuming that it will be a multi-year deal. Regardless, Detroit was impressed after having met with Brooks during the combine and new defensive coordinator Terryl Austin would love the opportunity to add another tool to his secondary. Brooks displayed his great speed at the combine, running a 4.42 40-yard dash.

Tangent #3

The third tangent takes the Lions’ needs into consideration, but with a bit of “crazy” added to the mix.

Round 1: Taylor Lewan, OT – Michigan

Detroit had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL last year and Riley Reiff and LaAdrian Waddle have the tackle positions locked up for multiple years. However, it wouldn’t be too far-fetched for the Lions to draft a position that they don’t necessarily need, would it?

Round 2: Pierre Desir, CB – Lindenwood

Comparable to Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Desir has great size and athleticism. He played against inferior competition at the collegiate level, but I find him behind Fuller as the best second-round corner.

Round 3: Telvin Smith, OLB – Florida State

At just 218-pounds, Smith is undersized but has exceptional speed at the linebacker position. He is a bit of a project, however, he could immediately impact the Lions defense with his pass-rushing abilities.

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About Jordan Johnson

I graduated from Central Michigan University with Sport Management degree. Following sports is not only a hobby of mine but it has become a passion. In addition to Detroit's four professional sports teams, I also cover Michigan Football for isportsweb

If they draft a CB it will take from 2 to 3 years before he contributes. CB is one of the hardest positions for a rookie to get used to playing at NFL level. So drafting a cb in the first round round will not help them win this year but it will help them in the future. Even Patrick Peterson didn’t do anything his first year.

ScottPeceny

Nice work JJ- I like the mock. I do like Gilbert more than Dennard, but both can play. Unlike Bobdd, I can’t buy in on the Slay/ Green/ Greenwood combo at all (I like Slay though) and Bentley is probably a slot corner like JollyRodgers says. Corner is arguably the most important position on the field (defensively) and the Lions need help there.

bobdd

So, two of your three tangents ignore the need at free safety and all three buy in to the overdrafting of rookie cornerbacks that the lions have done over the past two years! Even Mel Kiper has gotten off the draft a cornerback cause. But Jordan Johnson persists.

Hey Jordan, checkout the lions present roster. They have No real free safeties except maybe Carey. And Slay, Green, Greenwood and Bentley, four young stud cornerbacks whose only problem is that they don’t get enough playing time. Three of them are big and fast, and the forth is no slouch either. You want the lions to cut one or two of them?

Myron Gainz

did you read the article? He said this article is assuming they sign Ihedigbo

Myron Gainz

also.. the corners you mentioned don;t get enough playing time because they are always hurt. The lions need depth. Lets just hope they don’t get hurt and not have a backup plan lol. Thank goodness you aren’t a GM.

JollyRogers

IMHO, Slay, Green, and Greenwood are a waste of time. Bentley can cover the slot and that’s it. They need a big time CB to go with Houston.

Jordan Johnson

If the Lions don’t sign Ihedigbo then Calvin Pryor or HaHa Clinton-Dix could easily become the first round pick. Slay and Houston are solid but their production and playing time is unpredictable. Bentley is a good nickel back but nothing more. There is a clear need for corner and since Detroit didn’t add anyone in free agency (which would have been better than relying on a rookie corner) their only option is to address that early in the draft. DD and Gilbert have the capability to contribute right away

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Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, I follow the NHL and other hockey leagues. I follow the Philadelphia Flyers as well as the St. Louis Blues. I go to American University in Washington DC. I major in International Studies and Russian Language, and I also play Division 3 Club ice hockey. Writing about current NHL topics since 2015.
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